Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman would receive the Congressional Gold Medal for luring some of the domestic terrorists who attacked the Capitol last week away from the Senate chamber under a bill introduced by three members of Congress, ABC News reports.
Goodman confronted a mob of insurrectionists as they roamed the halls of the Capitol. As they climbed stairs that lead to the Senate lobby, Goodman taunted the person in front of the group by poking him in the chest, coaxing him and the following group of lemmings to follow him.
After glancing down the hallway to make sure the hallway was clear–reportedly seconds after Vice President Mike Pence left the Senate chamber–Goodman led the group in the opposite direction, where other officers were located.
In the press release issued by the three members of Congress sponsoring the bill, Democrats Charlie Crist of Florida and Emanuel Cleaver, II of Missouri, and Republican Nancy Mace of South Carolina said “If not for the quick, decisive, and heroic actions from Officer Goodman, the tragedy of last week’s insurrection could have multiplied in magnitude to levels never before seen in American history. With this prestigious award, we can show our gratitude to Officer Goodman for saving countless lives and defending our democracy.”
The Congressional Gold Medal recognizes groups and individuals “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.”